Between 1873 – 1948 around 6,000 destitute children were sent from the Birmingham Children’s Emigration Homes in Highgate, to live with farmers in the backwoods of Canada. Some were only three years old; the majority were aged seven to eleven. Described at the time as “gutter children” or “street Arabs” they lived in desperate conditions in the slum streets of the city and were the children of the poorest families.

The children spent up to a year at the Emigration Homes preparing for an epic journey to Canada. They were provided with a basic education and taught skills that would make them useful workers – giving them an opportunity to prosper and saving them. The future lives of these children varied enormously – there are tales of happiness and success as well as tales of great sadness.

On Saturday 14 September at midday we’ll be presenting a lively ‘Dramatic Lecture’ performance. Expect pop-up theatre, singing, photography and lots more. There will be one performance only in the Lyttleton Theatre. No booking required, suitable for families.

Also on Saturday 14th at 2.30 pm Dr. Patricia Roberts-Pichette Ph.D will be giving a talk on the Middlemore Homes. Patricia is the leading expert on the Homes’ history and will be flying in from Canada specifically for this event.

On Saturday 21st at 2.00 pm Patricia Skidmore, daughter of child migrant Marjorie Arnison, will also be flying in to give a talk about her family’s extraordinary experience.

The Lost Children Exhibition is free of charge and suitable for families. The Talks and Dramatic Lecture are also free of charge. So don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover this amazing aspect of Birmingham’s heritage.